I once was lost, but now I am found...

Have you ever been to a foreign country, one where they don't speak English? Few Hungarians we met were fluent in English. It is easy at first to overlook this fact because of all the Western influence that permeates its capital. McDonald's, Subway, Kentucky Fried Chicken...even TGI Friday's can be found on the streets of Budapest. One Hungarian restaurant even touted a "Kentucky" burger lathered in BBQ sauce. We were not ignorant to the fact that English isn't their first language, however it became very evident one evening on our trip. We decided to venture out, just the two of us, without Jonathan's parents (our "tour guides" for the trip). We had our Budapest street map, our Hungarian phrase book, and forints (money) in our pockets. We were going souveneir shopping.

Or at least, that was the plan. Several metro rides and a bus trip later, we realized we were not where we were supposed to be. We tried to take it all in stride, tried not to feel that panic deep down inside. We reviewed the street map, studied the bus schedule. But alas, we were lost. After several attempts to decode the clues to our whereabouts, we decided to find some assistance. We tried on several attempts to communicate with the Hungarian people...hand gestures, botched Hungarian phrases, confused looks...but we couldn't find anyone who spoke English. Finally, we ran into a young couple from Sweden who spoke English. They were kind enough to point us in the right direction. Ironically, we had been close to our final destination when we started our wild goose chase.

It's funny how what we were looking for was close by all along. We just couldn't understand the signs, or the messages of the people around us. Sometimes we make something very simple more complicated than it has to be. Christianity can be that way if we let it. We think we have to translate this crazy thing called religion into something we can understand. The thing is, God is standing right close by, waiting on us. Or rather, looking for us. He speaks our language. He knows the best way to communicate with each and every person. If we stop looking up at the street signs, the bus routes, the metro stops....tune out the noise of the world around us and just listen - we will hear a familiar voice. One that is out to find us, and save us from being lost.

Patience is a Virtue (or so they say)

If you have ever been around a toddler, you will agree that they have very little patience. They have no comprehension of the word "wait", especially when there is something in sight that they want now! It can be a challenge as a parent to explain the reason and/or benefits of waiting for something. I suppose God must feel this way sometimes about us. We, in our human nature, want to charge forth with action. Unfortunately, that is not always the reaction that is necessary. God's timing sometimes requires great patience.

As we have travelled on this path to missions, Jonathan and I have learned the great lesson of patience. So, what is so great about having to wait? - God has great lessons for us in the process. We continue to be refined and sharpened. In retrospect we can see the changes he has made in our lives and how that better prepares us to serve him now and in the future. Of course, we still yearn to serve now, but we know that God's timing is perfect and therefore, we won't rush things.

Visiting Hungary

In December of 2006, Jonathan and I had the opportunity to visit Hungary - my first visit and Jonathan's first time visiting since he lived there in high school. It was a special experience for us both. We were able to finally step foot in the place we were being called to. Since our visit, God has been working on our hearts and preparing us to walk down the path he has for us. We are in the process of completing our application with OMS International to become full-time missionaries. It is not a quick process, or an easy one, but we are taking each step as it comes with faithfulness to God's call.

A Country Called Hungary

The Beginning...
So you're probably wondering, how did you get the call to be missionaries to Hungary? For us, being able to describe how we feel is like trying to explain the detailed intricacies of the human body. It has become so intertwined in our hearts and our minds. Don't get me wrong, at first it didn't come to us so easily - or naturally for that matter. Rather, it has been a life-long working of God's will for our lives. Slowly, with pursuance, God has directed us toward His path.

Most definitely influencing in Jonathan's life was his experience living in Budapest, Hungary as a teenager. After returning home to the States, Jonathan felt a tugging in his heart for the people of Hungary. It wasn't until after we were married that Jonathan first mentioned this to his father. His father encouraged him to pray about it and seek God's clarity in the matter. This feeling for Hungary was not always in the forefront of his life, but was consistently in his heart. Corinne, on the other hand, did not have the unique opportunity to know Hungary first hand. However, God allowed her to know Hungary in her heart and to know their need for him.

As we began to recognize our desire to serve God through ministry, it became clear to us that full-time missions was the path for us. God confirmed this to both of us in unique and powerful ways. God's timing is perfect, though not always swift, and so it has continued to be a process teaching us to learn patience and dependence on God.